Marian Hales

November 12, 2012

EAST LIVERPOOL - Longtime city educator Marian R. Hales, passed away unexpectedly at 3:20 a.m. Thursday, November 8, 2012 at UPMC Passavant in McCandless, PA. Marian, who had spent her lifetime in this area helping scores of young people learn and achieve greatness, was 85.

She was born in East Liverpool on June 19, 1927, a daughter of the late Wilbur and Lois R. Allison Pittenger. A 1945 graduate of East Liverpool High School, she later became involved in the ELHS Alumni Association and its Olde Guard.

Following high school, Marian was graduated Summa Cum Laude from Geneva College, and received her Master's degree from the University of Dayton. She later did post graduate work at The Ohio State University and had been an adjunct professor at Ohio State, Duquesne University and Edinboro State University at one time.

But perhaps she was most admired and well-known in her role as elementary school teacher, both at North Elementary and the former Taft School, where she taught legions of students the most basic and important life lessons. Following her many years of teaching first grade, she went on to teach Reading Recovery at East Liverpool, as well as schools in Canton and Lucas County, in addition to Ohio State, Duquesne and Edinboro. A Martha Holden Jennings Scholar, she held memberships in the National Education Association, the Ohio Education Association, the East Liverpool Education Association, the International Reading Association, and the Ohio Council of the International Reading Association, where she had been both past president and administrative secretary. Marian was also past president of both the Columbiana County International Reading Association and the Alpha Iota chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma educator society. In addition, she belonged to the Quota Club of East Liverpool and the Columbiana County Retired Teachers Association, where she had served as treasurer.

A lifelong member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Marian had served as an Elder and had been president and treasurer of the church's Women's Association at Trinity, and had also belonged to the former Orchard Grove Methodist Church. A gifted musician, she had been the church organist for many years and belonged to the American Guild of Organists and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians. Marian never tired of learning, and also traveled extensively throughout her life.

Preceding her in death on February 6, 2009 was her husband, John B. "Jack" Hales, whom she married on November 28, 1947.

Surviving are a son and a daughter: John A. Hales of East Liverpool, and Rebecca Ann Motchenbaugh and her husband, Lawrence, of Aurora, CO. There are two grandchildren, Ryan M. (Anna) Lack of Dallas, TX, and Cory J. (Rachel) Lack of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A great-grandson, Devon Lack, also survives.

Marian was also preceded by her brother, James E. Pittenger.

Friends may visit at the Dawson Funeral Home on Monday, where the family will be present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, with Rev. Dr. Stephen Cramer officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery.